On February 3, 2009, David Chen was named the 2009 Alumnus of the Year by the Moody Bible Institute Alumni Association. The award, announced during the Tuesday evening session of Moody’s annual Founder’s Week conference, honors graduates who have distinguished themselves through faithfulness to Christ, perseverance in service and contributions to the cause of Christ.

Chen, a 1944 graduate, was not able to attend the conference so the award was presented to him on January 10 in San Diego. Surrounded by his family and friends, as well as fellow alumnus Glen Ruby and Alumni Association Executive Director, Walter White, Chen expressed immense gratitude for this honor. “He wholeheartedly expressed his eternal gratitude for this award,” said White. “He so values the experience he had at Moody and was overwhelmed that the administration would honor him.”

Following his graduation from Moody Bible Institute, Chen focused on ministry in Communist China. He taught at the Taitung Seminary and China Native Evangelistic Crusade (CNEC), now Partners International, before facing persecution in the Cultural Revolution of the 1960s. The following years forced Chen to face difficult conditions and dangerous situations, including imprisonment. After his release, Chen worked with a house church that was in desperate need for Bibles, as Christian literature was difficult to find in China. The church prayed fervently and their prayers were miraculously answered through American strangers who risked their lives to deliver the Christian materials. Chen and his wife, Yushin, continued to minister with the underground church in China, as well as ministries in the States, until her death in 1985.  At that time it became necessary for Chen to seek asylum in the United States, where, at over a hundred years old, he still resides and remains active in ministry. In 1999, Chen’s story was recounted in the book Earthly Angels: David Chen's Survival of Famine and Persecution by Phyllis Milkon of Burgess Creative Ventures.

“David Chen’s involvement in the underground church in China is striking,” said White. “His commitment to Scripture was unwavering, even during persecution. He recalls how his study of Psalm 23 at Moody brought him peace during his imprisonment. For the past 70 years he’s maintained the same commitment to scripture, which is why we consider it a privilege to present him with this honor.”